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      McCrone (1991) suggests, "the simplest [language] is the alarm call--the instinctive or wired-in reaction to danger that automatically alerts the whole group. . . . Alarm calls are both automatically triggered and automatically understood" (p. 145).  The automatic call becomes a stressor that disturbs the equilibrium of the group producing some action, such as running.  Through action, equilibrium is restored.

      According to McCrone (1991), some cries are instinctive cries "where an animal gives vent to its inner feelings" (p. 146).  In such a case, the cry would be the result of a stressor and the cry itself restores equilibrium.  The receiver of such a cry, in contrast to the automatic response, may not understand the reason for the cry and require "a certain intelligence" to interpret it.  Eventually this could evolve to the ability to purposefully send calls to trigger intentional and learned responses in the receiver.  Learning to refine various sounds to invoke specific responses led to intricate language (McCrone, 1991).

      A third function that sound serves in modern humans is to smooth emotional tension due to a build up of stressors.  Recall the saying, "music calms the savage beast"? Here, the individual finds equilibrium within the field of sound.

(This work is a all or part of an original work first published/written for John. F. Kennedy University:  Final Integrative Project., Mar1996.)

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• McCrone, J. (1991).  The Ape that Spoke:  Language and the Evolution of the Human Mind.  New York, NY:  William Morrow.
• Darwin, C. (1872).  The Origin of Species & the Descent of Man.  New York, NY:  The Modern Library.
• Pearson, D. & Shaw, S. (1982).  Life Extension:  A Practical Scientific Approach.  New York, NY:  Warner.

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